<p>
Ohanian, who is white, recently stepped down from his position at Reddit and asked the board to replace him with a person of color, calling the lack of people of color in positions of power an "unacceptable gap." He stated
<u><a href="https://twitter.com/alexisohanian/status/1268943033137053698" target="_blank">on Twitter</a></u> that he wants to be able to face his daughter if she asks one day "What did YOU do?"
</p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I co-founded
<a href="https://twitter.com/reddit?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@reddit</a> 15 years ago to help people find community and a sense of belonging.⁰<br>
<br>
It is long overdue to do the right thing. I'm doing this for me, for my family, and for my country.
<br>
— Alexis Ohanian Sr. 🚀 (@alexisohanian)
<a href="https://twitter.com/alexisohanian/status/1268943033137053698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2020</a>
</blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"> </script></div><p>
His decision to step down arrives at a time when the United States is witnessing widespread protests against racism and police brutality after an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, died at the hands of the police. On his
<u><a href="https://alexisohanian.com/home/2020/6/5/what-did-you-do" target="_blank">personal website</a></u> Ohanian wrote, "I believe resignation can actually be an act of leadership from people in power right now. To everyone fighting to fix our broken nation: do not stop."<br>
</p><p>
Ohanian's actions are admirable, but his position isn't a common one. Most parents don't have a job that they can step away from without causing their families serious financial problems. There are, however, plenty of other ways to model anti-racist behavior.
</p><p>
"...Parents have the responsibility to combat racism, bias, and discrimination, starting with the socialization of their own children," writes Dr.
<u><a href="https://sanford.duke.edu/people/faculty/lansford-jennifer" target="_blank">Jennifer E. Lansford</a></u>, a Research Professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy and Faculty Fellow of the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University, in <u><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-and-culture/202006/parenting-combat-racism-bias-and-discrimination" target="_blank">this article</a></u> about how parents can work to fight racism. "<u><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-and-culture/202006/parenting-combat-racism-bias-and-discrimination" target="_blank">A new approach is needed</a></u>—one that does not burden parents of color as the only ones responsible for the racial-ethnic socialization of their children."
</p><p>
But what kind of new approach?
</p><p>
First and most importantly, parents can register to vote and bring their child(ren) along when casting their ballot. It's important for kids to see the democratic process, and discussing why participation in that process is an honor and a privilege increases the likelihood that children will exercise their future right to vote.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<a href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1466780446965-2072a3de8a43?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&q=80&fm=jpg&crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&w=400&fit=max&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEzMzIxMn0" target="_blank"><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzUyNzEzOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMTc2NzkyNn0.d6hs2L6Sb03igjNqLr-LBIryHku11UC4aj0m3NPANCA/img.jpg?width=980" id="0ea04" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="feca73cd2018ec25507a5fabc70938a1" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"></a>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">
Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@eagleboobs?utm_source=RebelMouse&utm_medium=referral">Elliott Stallion</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=RebelMouse&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a>
</small>
</p><p>
Additionally, parents have to be willing to get creative and think outside the box. <u><a href="http://bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES" target="_blank">This resource guide is a great place to start</a></u>. Simple things like adding new podcasts into the rotation or expanding your family's library of books can make a huge difference in how our children view the world. The point is to be informed and intentional.<br>
</p><p>
Seeking out diversity, talking about race from an early age, celebrating our differences, even making a point to give our kids toys that look different than them, are all small but easy things parents and caregivers can do to instill anti-racism.
</p><p>
Look around and think about what kind of environment you are creating for your children. Does everyone look the same? If so, whether you mean to or not, you're helping to create unconscious bias within your child. Our kids are watching, and they will model what we teach them.
</p><p>
<strong><em><span></span>Turn your everyday actions into acts of good at <a href="https://bit.ly/2AfA27u" target="_blank">P&G Good Everyday</a>.</em></strong>
</p>
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9 comics that hilariously show our love/hate relationship with the internet.
The internet can be a wonderful, joy-filled, treasure trove of amazement.
But it can also be a dirge of sadness, anxiety, and general ennui.
In these hilarious comics, Sara Zimmerman of Unearthed Comics gives some insight into the pains, joys, and anxiety that we’ve all experienced online.
Science fiction writer William Gibson wrote in a prescient story for the New York Times way back in 1996: “As new technologies search out and lace over every interstice in the net of global communication, we find ourselves with increasingly less excuse for ... slack."
We share ourselves online in the hopes of being liked, but we are all terrified of being judged and being disliked, and it's hard to cut ourselves and the world some slack.
The internet allows us to connect with friends and family around the globe, watch the latest adorable video of a bulldog riding a skateboard, or ignore the endless pileup of emails in our inboxes.
That's why Zimmerman poignantly uses “The Eye of Sauron” as a metaphor for our anxiety over sharing some photos on Facebook. Because we’ve all had that nagging desire to have power over how many people like our post.
So here are some refreshing comics to give you some perspective on our love/hate relationship with the internet:
1. Love may be one thing we can count on to protect us.
All images by Sara Zimmerman/Unearthed Comics.
2. Being ahead of the game is important.
3. And knowing what works best is a good start.
4. Compassion is key for an enjoyable ride.
5. The simple things don't always turn out the way you plan.
6. It's good to have some perspective.
7. Job descriptions can be flexible.
8. Being productive has different meanings.
9. Time management can get complicated on the web.
These comics are a reminder of how silly the internet really is.
As of June 2016, Facebook reported having over 1.13 billion daily active users. That's a lot of people using just Facebook, let alone the rest of the internet. As technology becomes more ubiquitous around the globe we all grow a little closer but also share in the frustrations that digital communication holds.
So in light of everything the internet offers us, I think we should cut ourselves a little slack when it comes to our relationship with it.